Radiographic image connection processing method, radiographic image connection processing apparatus, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium

ABSTRACT

In a radiographic image connection processing method of connecting plural partial radiographic images, there are provided an image selection step of selecting the plural partial radiographic images; a mode changeover step of changing over an image position adjustment mode for adjusting a position of the selected partial radiographic image to/from an image measurement mode for measuring the selected partial radiographic image; and an image connection processing step of connecting the selected partial radiographic images with others according as the mode is changed over from the image position adjustment mode to the image measurement mode in the mode changeover step. Thus, it is possible to achieve image position adjustment and image measurement during radiographic image connection, and it is also possible to smoothly perform the operations for the image position adjustment and the image measurement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a radiographic image connectionprocessing method, a radiographic image connection processing apparatus,a computer program for executing the radiographic image connectionprocessing method, and a computer-readable recording medium of storingthe computer program for executing the radiographic image connectionprocessing method. In particular, the present invention relates to atechnique which is suitable for generating an whole image based onplural partial radiographic images generated from a common subjectportion.

2. Related Background Art

Conventionally, a so-called radiographic image diagnosis which obtainsan image of a patient by using radiation rays (X-rays) and thus obtainsthe internal information of the patient is widely executed. Here, inconventional radiography, a film is held together with an intensifyingscreen in a cassette, a patient is photographed by using radiation rays,and the photographed film is developed, whereby a radiographic image ofthe patient is obtained.

The size of the film to be used at that time is previously standardized,that is, the maximum film to be generally and widely used is a so-calledhalf-size film having the size 14 inches×17 inches.

Incidentally, in a case where so-called lower limb whole-lengthphotographing or whole spine (or backbone) photographing which aims tomeasure a bone is performed, the half-size film of 14 inches×17 inchesis too small in size to be used. Thus, in that case, a method that aso-called long cassette capable of holding a long film is used tophotograph a whole-length lower limb or a whole spine and thus obtainthe image thereof on the long film is adopted. However, even in thatcase, another method may be adopted because it is hard for an operatorto deal with the long film when developing it. That is, in this method,plural half-size films (each 14 inches×17 inches) are held in the longcassette so that the successive films partially overlap each other, andthe image obtained by photographing the whole-length lower limb or thewhole spine is formed on these films. Further, in this method, the filmson which the photographed image has been formed are developed one byone, and then the developed images are appropriately connected withothers by using an adhesive tape or the like to obtain the whole image.

On one hand, in recent years, an apparatus which can directly photographa subject and thus obtain a radiographic image thereof as a digitalimage is developed. That is, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.S55-012429 and S63-189853 and the like disclose, e.g., a method in whicha photostimulable phosphor detector is used as an apparatus fordetecting an amount of radiation rays irradiated on the subject and thenforming as an electrical signal the radiographic image in correspondencewith the detected amount of the radiation rays.

In the apparatus like this, photostimulable phosphor is applied orevaporated on and then fixed to a sheet-like substrate to form thephotostimulable phosphor detector, and the radiation rays transmittedthrough the subject are irradiated on the formed detector, whereby theirradiated radiation rays are absorbed by the photostimulable phosphor.After then, the photostimulable phosphor is excited by light or heatenergy, the radiation ray energy stored in the photostimulable phosphoras the result of the above absorption is emitted as fluorescence, andthe emitted fluorescence is then photoelectrically converted, therebyobtaining the electrical image signal.

Besides, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open H03-287248 proposes amethod of performing, e.g., whole spine photographing by using such anapparatus as above. In this method, more specifically, a long cumulativephosphor sheet which has a recording area corresponding to the length ofthe whole spine of a subject is used to perform the photographing.

Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-244269 proposesa method that plural cassettes respectively holding photostimulablephosphor detectors are arranged so as to partially overlap mutually, thearranged cassettes are held in a dedicated cassette holder, and asubject is actually photographed.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H03-287249proposes a method that plural photostimulable phosphor detectors arearranged so as to partially overlap mutually, a subjected isphotographed to obtain plural partial radiographic images, and thenpartial radiographic data corresponding to these images are synthesized,thereby generating a whole image.

On one hand, in recent years, an apparatus which can photograph asubject by using a semiconductor sensor and obtain a radiographic imagethereof as a digital image is developed. More specifically, in this typeof apparatus which uses the semiconductor sensor, generally, phosphor ispreviously applied or adhered to the semiconductor sensor. Thus,irradiated radiation rays are first converted into light by the appliedor adhered phosphor, the converted light is detected by thesemiconductor sensor, and the detected light is then photoelectricallyconverted into an electrical signal.

In the apparatus like this, because a photographable area by thesemiconductor sensor is limited or restricted, it is impossible tophotograph a whole spine of a subject at first try. For this reason, thesubject is photographed plural times to respectively obtain pluralpartial radiographic images, the obtained plural images are displayed,and whole image data is then generated based on plural partialradiographic image data corresponding to the displayed plural images.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-342567 proposes a methodof generating whole image data from plural partial radiographic imagedata respectively obtained by photographing a subject plural times.According to this method, generally, a user interactively generates thewhole image data. More specifically, in a synthesis image generationstep to be performed in this method, the radiographic image of thesubject (target) is first displayed, the partial radiographic images tobe synthesized are appropriately selected from the displayed image, theconnection positions at which the successive partial radiographic imagesshould be connected with others are designated respectively on theselected partial radiographic images, and the partial radiographicimages are actually connected and synthesized on the basis of thedesignated connection positions, thereby generating a whole image. Asdescribed above, various examples for mutually synthesizing orconnecting the plural partial radiographic images are proposed, but noneof these examples mention a problem which may occur during in measuringthe radiographic image.

That is, in the case where the radiographic images are connected withothers as above, when position adjustment of the radiographic images andmeasurement of the radiographic images are simultaneously performed,there is a fear that the position adjustment of the images is deviatedimmediately after the measurement of the images, and, in such a case,the connected and synthesized image becomes different from the measuredresult.

Moreover, in a case where a mark used for the position measurementand/or the measured result obtained by the position measurement aredisplayed on the radiographic images, there is a fear that the markand/or the result remaining on the display interfere with the positionadjustment of the radiographic images and/or the measurement of theradiographic images which are the intended purpose.

Furthermore, in a case where a distance extending across the successiveradiographic images is measured and then an enlargement ratio of one ofthese images is changed, there is a fear that a problem occurs incorrectness of the measured result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in consideration of the above conventionalproblems, and a first object of the present invention is to provideradiographic image connection processing apparatus and method which canappropriately perform image position adjustment and image measurementwhen plural radiographic images are connected with others.

A second object of the present invention is to enable a user to smoothlyperform an operation for image position adjustment and an operation forimage measurement.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention adopts:

-   -   an image selection step of selecting plural partial radiographic        images;    -   a mode changeover step of changing over an image position        adjustment mode for adjusting a position of the partial        radiographic image selected in the image selection step to/from        an image measurement mode for measuring the partial radiographic        image selected in the image selection step; and    -   an image connection processing step of connecting the selected        partial radiographic images with others according as the mode is        changed over from the image position adjustment mode to the        image measurement mode in the mode changeover step.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of aradiographic image connection processing apparatus according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation procedure ofthe radiographic image connection processing apparatus according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image connection displayscreen according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example that a connection portion ofimages to be connected is enlarged and displayed, according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of aradiographic image connection processing apparatus according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is comprised of FIGS. 6A and 6B showing flow charts of an exampleof the operation procedure of the radiographic image connectionprocessing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example that a connection portion ofimages to be connected is enlarged and displayed, according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a Cobb measured result and adistance measured result according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of acomputer system disposed in a radiographic image connection processingapparatus according to other embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(First Embodiment)

Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will beexplained with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of aradiographic image connection processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment. Incidentally, in the following explanation, itshould be noted that a radiographic image (partial radiographic image)which is generated by transmitting radiation rays through a subject issimply called an image as occasion demands. Besides, as a method ofgenerating the radiographic image, for example, there is a method thatthe radiographic image is generated by using a digital X-ray imagingapparatus equipped with a flat panel detector. However, in the presentembodiment, the method of generating the radiographic image is notspecifically limited.

In FIG. 1, numeral 101 denotes an image selection means which selectsimages to be connected, numeral 102 denotes an image position adjustmentmeans which adjusts the positions of the images to be connected, numeral103 denotes an image position adjustment mode/image measurement modechangeover means which appropriately changes an image positionadjustment mode and an image measurement mode, numeral 104 denotes animage measurement means which measures the image, numeral 105 denotes animage output means which outputs the connected image (that is, the imagemade by connecting the partial images), and numeral 107 denotes an imageconnection processing means which performs an image connection processfor the selected images.

Next, an example of the operation procedure of the radiographic imageconnection processing apparatus according to the present embodiment willbe explained with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 2.

More specifically, a step S201 is an image measurement function useinhibition step. Because the image position adjustment mode is set in amode initial condition after an image connection screen started, animage position adjustment function is set to be usable and an imagemeasurement function is set to be unusable.

Here, such a usable state is set as, e.g., a button enable state or abutton selectable state. However, the present embodiment is not limitedto this. That is, any state can be adopted if it is the state enablingto use the function in question. On the other hand, such an unusablestate is set as, e.g., a button disable state or a button undisplayedstate (the state that a button itself is not displayed) However, thepresent embodiment is not limited to this.

Moreover, in the image position adjustment function which is set to bein the usable state, it is possible to perform an image upward shift, animage downward shift, an image rightward shift, an image leftward shift,an image 90° rotation, an image −90° rotation, an image free rotation,an image up-and-down inversion, an image front-and-back reversal, animage cutout, a window width change, a window level change, and thelike. Here, it should be noted that the image cutout is the operationfor eliminating the portion unnecessary to connect the selected images.

Steps S202, S203 and S204 are an image selection step of selecting theimage to be connected. In the image selection step, as shown in FIG. 3,an image 403 is dragged and dropped by using a mouse from an imagedisplay screen 401 to an image connection processing screen 402. In theexample shown in FIG. 3, the image 403 displayed on the image displayscreen 401 is dragged and then dropped on the image connectionprocessing screen 402, whereby an image 404 is displayed as the image tobe connected on the image connection processing screen 402. That is,when the image is selected, dragged and dropped on the image connectionprocessing screen 402, the image in question is handled as the image tobe subjected to the image connection process. Here, it should be notedthat two or more images can be selected, dragged and dropped on theimage connection processing screen 402.

When the image to be connected is selected in the step S204, it ispossible to adjust the position of the image to be connected, and it isalso possible to change the mode. Typically, because the connectionposition of the image is not adjusted immediately after it was selected,the connection position of the selected image is adjusted.

A step S206 is an image position adjustment step. In this step, afterone of the images to be connected was selected, the various processescan be performed to the selected images. More specifically, it ispossible to perform upward shift, downward shift, rightward shift andleftward shift of the image so as to adjust the connection positionthereof. Moreover, it is possible to perform 90° rotation, −90°rotation, free rotation, up-and-down inversion, front-and-back reversal,density adjustment, cutout and the like of the image. At that time, itis preferable to register the connection positions of the successiveimages and thus perform the image position adjustment by usingupward-shift, downward-shift, rightward-shift and leftward-shift keys ona keyboard, or by selecting (dragging) the image with use of the mouse.Besides, when a new image to be connected is dragged and dropped on theimage connection processing screen 402, it is possible to add the imageto be subjected to the image connection process and thus perform theimage position adjustment to the images including the added image.Incidentally, it should be noted that the free rotation is an imagerotation of arbitrary angle.

A step S205 is an operation request selection step. That is, a not-shownchangeover button is prepared on the image connection processing screen402, whereby the mode is changed by depressing this button.Incidentally, although the mode is changed by depressing the appropriatebutton in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limitedto this. For example, it is contemplated that the mode is selected on apull-down menu. Moreover, it is also contemplated that the mode ischanged by depressing, e.g., an appropriate mode changeover key on thekeyboard, by double-clicking the mouse, or the like. That is, the modemay be changed through various interfaces. Steps S207 and S208 are amode changeover step of changing the image position adjustment mode tothe image measurement mode.

The step S207 is an image position adjustment function use inhibitionstep. In this step, when the mode is changed from the image positionadjustment mode to the image measurement mode, the image positionadjustment function is set to be unusable, that is, the usable functionis changed.

More specifically, in the image measurement mode, the functions forshifting the image upward, downward, rightward and leftward are set tobe unusable. In addition, other image adjustment functions are also setto be unusable. As described above, such an unusable state is set as,e.g., a button disable state or a button undisplayed state (the statethat a button itself is not displayed so as not to be able to select thefunction corresponding to the button in question).

The step S208 is an image measurement function use permission step. Thatis, in this step, the state that the image measurement function cannotbe selected is changed through a user interface to the state that theimage measurement function can be selected. For example, in a case wherea desired function is selected by depressing a corresponding button onthe user interface, the state that the button cannot be depressed orclicked is changed to the state that the button can be depressed orclicked. Alternatively, the state that the button itself is notdisplayed is changed to the state that the button is displayed.Likewise, in a case where a desired function is selected from apull-down menu, the state that the corresponding item on the menu cannotbe selected is changed to the state that the items on the menu can beselected. Alternatively, the state that the function itself is notdisplayed as the item on the menu is changed to the state that thefunction is displayed as the item on the menu. More specifically, in theimage measurement mode, a function for measuring the distance betweentwo points, a function for measuring an angle, and the like can be used.In addition, a function for measuring lateral curvature by a known Cobbmethod, a function for measuring the lateral curvature by a knownFerguson method, and other various diagnostic measurement functions canbe used.

Incidentally, although the process in the step S208 is performed afterthe process in the step S207 was performed in the present embodiment,the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the process inthe step S207 may be performed after the process in the step S208 wasperformed.

A step S209 is an operation request judgment step. Thus, when it isjudged in the step S209 that a request for image measurement is input,the flow advances to a step S210 to measure the image. Further, when itis judged in the step S209 that a request for image output is input, theflow advances to a step S213 to output the image. Moreover, when it isjudged in the step S209 that a request for mode changeover is input, theflow advances to a step S211 to inhibit the image measurement function.

The step S210 is an image measurement step. In this step, it is possibleto perform various measurements by using the function for measuring thedistance between two points, the function for measuring the angle, thefunction for measuring the lateral curvature by the Cobb method, thefunction for measuring the lateral curvature by the Ferguson method, andthe like all described as above. Incidentally, the measured result isdisplayed on the connected image. The step S211 is an image measurementfunction inhibition step.

The step S212 is an image position adjustment function use permissionstep. That is, in this step, the state that the image positionadjustment function cannot be selected is changed through a userinterface to the state that the image position adjustment function canbe selected. For example, in the case where the desired function isselected by depressing the corresponding button on the user interface,the state that the button cannot be depressed or clicked is changed tothe state that the button can be depressed or clicked. Alternatively,the state that the button itself is not displayed is changed to thestate that the button is displayed. Incidentally, the mode is changed tothe image measurement mode in the steps S211 and S212. However, forexample, when the connected image is insufficient and thus fineadjustment thereof becomes further necessary, the image measurement modeis again changed to the image position adjustment mode. At that time,the functions capable of being used in the image measurement mode cannotbe used, while the functions capable of being used in the image positionadjustment mode can be used.

The steps S211 and S212 are a mode changeover step, as well as the stepsS207 and S208. In the above steps S207 and S208, the image positionadjustment mode is changed to the image measurement mode. Meanwhile, inthe steps S211 and S212, the image measurement mode is changed to theimage position adjustment mode.

In the image position adjustment mode, as shown in FIG. 4, theconnection portion of images 501 and 502 to be connected with each otheris enlarged on the image connection processing screen 402 to finelyadjust the connection position thereof.

In an example shown in FIG. 4, a bone portion 503 of the image 501 and abone portion 504 of the image 502 are enlarged and displayed, and thepositions of these portions are adjusted so that they overlap eachother. When the image position adjustment mode is changed to the imagemeasurement mode in this state, an enlargement/reduction process isperformed to the connected image so that it can be displayed within therange of the image connection processing screen 402.

Incidentally, although the process in the step S212 is performed afterthe process in the step S211 was performed in the present embodiment,the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the process inthe step S211 may be performed after the process in the step S212 wasperformed.

The step S213 is an image output step that the connected image isoutput. In the present embodiment, it is conceivable that the connectedimage output in the step S213 is stored in an image server, a medicalimage printer, a local disk or the like. However, the present inventionis not limited to this, that is, the output in this step includes wholeoutputs from the radiographic image connection processing apparatus tothe external.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the casewhere the images 501 and 502 are connected with each other, the positionadjustment of the images 501 and 502 to be performed by the imageposition adjustment means 102 (in the image position adjustment mode)and the image measurement to be performed by the image measurement means104 (in the image measurement mode) are appropriately changed over bythe image position adjustment mode/image measurement mode changeovermeans 103. Thus, only the functions concerning the image positionadjustment can be used in the image position adjustment mode, only thefunctions concerning the image measurement can be used in the imagemeasurement mode, and the image measurement can be performed only afterthe positions of the images 501 and 502 are determined. For this reason,it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that the connectedimage at the time of image measurement differs from the connected imageto be finally output because the position of the image is changed afterthis image was measured. Moreover, according to the present embodiment,it is set to be able to use only the functions corresponding to theusable mode, whereby usability can be improved for users.

(Second Embodiment)

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be explained.Incidentally, in the explanation of the present embodiment, the sameparts as those in the above first embodiment are denoted by thecorresponding numerals and symbols shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 as occasiondemands, and the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of aradiographic image connection processing apparatus according to thepresent embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the radiographic image connection processingapparatus in the present embodiment is provided by adding an imageposition adjustment mark addition means 106 to the radiographic imageconnection apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Here, theimage position adjustment mark addition means 106 is used to add a markfor performing position adjustment of a connected image, on the image.

Next, an example of the operation procedure of the radiographic imageconnection processing apparatus according to the present embodiment willbe explained with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

Steps S301 to S306 are respectively the same as the steps S201 to S206of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2. That is, the step S301 is animage measurement function use inhibition step of setting an imagemeasurement function to be unusable. The step S302 is an image positionadjustment function use permission step, and the steps S303 and S304 arean image selection step of selecting the image to be connected. Thesteps S305 and S306 are a position adjustment step.

Moreover, a step S323 is an image position adjustment mark additionstep. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, in an image position adjustment mode,images 501 and 502 are sufficiently enlarged on an image connectionprocessing screen 505, and thus the enlarged images 501 and 502 arehandled and processed to finely adjust the connection position. Here,when it intends to finely adjust the images 501 and 502 in such statesas displayed on the image connection processing screen 505, there is apossibility that a user cannot successfully judge which of in-bodyconstituents should be matched (connected), because of the reasons thatthe user cannot see the whole of the images 501 and 502 on the imageconnection processing screen 505, the shapes of the in-body constituentsare almost similar, and the like.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, before the images 501 and 502 areenlarged for the fine adjustment, image position adjustment marks 506 aand 506 b are previously added respectively onto the images 501 and 502.Here, it should be noted that the mark is used to indicate which partson the images should be matched (connected). Thus, even in the casewhere the images 501 and 502 are sufficiently enlarged for the fineadjustment, it is possible to easily specify the parts to be matched(connected) because the user can do so while checking the marks 506 aand 506 b (see bone portions 503 and 504 in FIG. 7).

The step S306 is equivalent to the step S206 in the first embodiment,that is, the step S306 is an image position adjustment step. In thisstep, after one of the images to be connected was selected, and theconnection positions of the selected images are adjusted by performingupward shift, downward shift, rightward shift and leftward shift of theimages. The steps S305, S307, S308, S324, S309, S310, S311 and S312 arean image position adjustment mode/image measurement mode changeover stepof changing the image position adjustment mode to an image measurementmode through a user interface such as a changeover button or the like.The step S307 is an image position adjustment function use inhibitionstep of setting the image adjustment function to be unusable.

The steps S324, S309, S310 and S311 are an image position adjustmentmark deletion and image measurement function display step. In thepresent embodiment, because the image position adjustment mode has beenchanged to the image measurement mode in the step S305, the imageposition adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b are released or deletedrespectively from the images 501 and 502 in the step S309.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, it intends to usethe image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b for finely adjustingthe images 501 and 502 respectively, that is, it is unnecessary todisplay these marks in the image measurement mode. In addition to theabove, there is a fear that the image position adjustment marks 506 aand 506 b accidentally hide the in-body constituents on the screen fromthe user while the image measurement is being performed. That is,because the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b mightcounteract the image measurement, it is preferable not to display thesemarks in the image measurement mode. Moreover, it should be noted that,in the step S309, the image measurement function is set to be usable.

The step S310 is a past measurement result judgment step of judgingwhether or not the past measurement result exists. Here, it should benoted that the past measurement result is the result which has beenobtained in the image measurement performed in the past. That is, in acase where the image measurement is performed in the image measurementmode past changed from the image position adjustment mode, it is judgedin the step S310 whether or not to redisplay the past measurement resulton the image. Then, when it is judged in the step S310 that the pastmeasurement result exits, the flow advances to the step S311, while whenit is judged in the step S310 that the past measurement result does notexist, the flow advances to the later-described step S312.

The step S311 is a measurement result display step of displaying themeasurement result when it is judged in the step S310 that the pastmeasurement result exits. In this step, the past measurement resultexisting is essentially redisplayed on the image. However, when theimage position has been already changed, the measurement result mightnot be redisplayed. Incidentally, when the measurement result has beenconcluded in one image before the image connection, the measurementresult is redisplayed. Moreover, even when the image position has beenalready changed, the measurement result is redisplayed if it representsthe correct value.

Incidentally, the order of the image position adjustment function useinhibition step of the step S307 and the image position adjustmentfunction use permission step of the step S308 may be reversed. Moreover,the order of the image position adjustment mark deletion step of thesteps S324 and S309 and the image measurement result display step of thesteps S310 and S311 may be reversed.

The step S312 is an image connection processing step. The images to besubjected to the image connection process may include an image of whichthe image data amount is highly large, for example, there is a casewhere the image data amount of one image is 15 megabytes (MB) or so. Insuch a case, when all the image data of the original images are storedand held in a memory and then the image adjustment is performed, ittakes a long time for the image process, and a load is very large. Forthis reason, a reduction image might be generated from the real imagedata at the time when the image position adjustment is performed, andthen the image position adjustment might be performed by using thegenerated reduction image.

In that case, the real image (that is, the real-size image which is notreduced) is displayed based on the image data of the original image atthe timing when the image position adjustment mode is changed to theimage measurement mode. However, when a memory having a sufficientcapacity is used, or when a high-throughput computer is used, all thenecessary processes may be performed based on the image data of theoriginal image. On the contrary, when a memory merely having a poorcapacity is used, or when a low-throughput computer is used, the imageconnection process in the step S310 may be performed based on the imagedata of the reduced image.

As well as the step S209 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a stepS313 is an operation request judgment step. Thus, when it is judged inthe step S313 that a request for image measurement is input, the flowadvances to a step S314 to measure the image. Further, when it is judgedin the step S313 that a request for image output is input, the flowadvances to a step S315 to output the image. Moreover, when it is judgedin the step S312 that a request for mode changeover is input, the flowadvances to steps S316 and S317 to perform a mode changeover process.

The step S314 is equivalent to the step S210 in the first embodimentshown in FIG. 2, that is, the step S314 is an image measurement step ofperforming the various image measurements with respect to the images 501and 502.

As well as the steps S211 and S212 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.2, the steps S316 and S317 are an image position adjustment mode/imagemeasurement mode changeover step of changing the image measurement modeto the image position adjustment mode. More specifically, the step S316is an image measurement function use inhibition step of setting theimage measurement function to be unusable, and the step S317 is an imageposition adjustment function use permission step of permitting use ofthe image position adjustment function. That is, in the latter step, thestate that the image position adjustment function cannot be selected ischanged through a user interface to the state that the image positionadjustment function can be selected. For example, in the case where thedesired function is selected by depressing or clicking the correspondingbutton on the user interface, the state that the button cannot bedepressed or clicked is changed to the state that the button can bedepressed or clicked. Alternatively, the state that the button itself isnot displayed is changed to the state that the button is displayed.

Steps S318 and S319 are a measurement result deletion step. Morespecifically, it is first judged in the step S318 whether or not themeasurement result measured and obtained in the image measurement modebefore it is changed in the image position adjustment mode/imagemeasurement mode changeover step of the steps S316 and S317 exists. Whenit is judged that the measurement result in question exists, the flowadvances to the step S319, while when it is judged that the measurementresult in question does not exist, the flow advances to a step S320.

In the step S319, because the image measurement mode has been changed tothe image position adjustment mode, the measurement result is deletedrespectively from the images 501 and 502 because the image result mighthinder the user from seeing or watching the constitutes in the images501 and 502 when finely adjusting the positions of the images 501 and502. Incidentally, when the image position is changed after the imagemeasurement, the physical relationship between the plural partialradiographic images at the time of the measurement and the pluralpartial radiographic images after they have been connected is changed.More specifically, because the position measured in the imagemeasurement mode has been changed, the measurement value is resultinglydifferent from the connected image, whereby the measurement value isincorrect. Therefore, in the image position adjustment mode foradjusting the positions of the images 501 and 502, the measurementresult obtained in the image measurement mode is not displayed even ifit exists. However, exceptionally, with respect to a drawing objectwhich has been concluded in one image before the image connection, theposition adjustment is not influenced by image enlargement andreduction, whereby it may retain such an object as it is. In that case,when the position adjustment of the image in question is performed, thedrawing object moves according to the adjustment.

However, when the images 501 and 502 are connected with each other and ameasurement tool or the like is drawn independently on each of theseimages as shown in FIG. 8, it might not delete the measurement result.For example, because a distance measurement tool 603 is drawnindependently on the image 501, it might not delete this tool. However,in the image position adjustment mode, a case where the measurement toolcannot exist independently might occur by shifting, enlarging and/orreducing the image. In such a case, it is necessary to delete themeasurement tool in question.

Moreover, in the measurement method which is called the known Cobbmethod, the target to be measured is an image angle. In FIG. 8, numerals606 and 607 respectively denote auxiliary lines which are in contactwith the upper or lower surface of the vertebral bones of spine.Numerals 608 and 609 respectively denote perpendicular lines of therespective auxiliary lines 606 and 607, and the perpendicular lines 608and 609 are used to measure an angle at the intersection point of theauxiliary lines 606 and 607. Thus, for example, when the relativephysical relationship between the auxiliary lines 606 and 607 ismaintained by appropriately shifting, enlarging and/or reducing theimages 501 and 502, it is unnecessary to delete the auxiliary lines 606and 607 even when the mode is changed to the image position adjustmentmode, and it is possible to shift the auxiliary lines 606 and 607according to the shifts of the images 501 and 502 (see a range 605 inFIG. 8).

On one hand, numerals 603 and 604 denotes an example of tools to be usedfor measuring the distances. As shown by the distance measurement tool604 of FIG. 8, when the distance measurement is performed over theplural (two) images 501 and 502, it is possible to easily obtain theintended distance between given two points if the enlargement ratio ofthe image 501 is the same as that of the image 502 and also the pixelpitch of the image 501 is the same as that of the image 502.

However, in a case where the distance of the portion where the imagesoverlap each other is obtained when the enlargement ratio of the image501 is different from that of the image 502, it is necessary to performcalculation by using the enlargement ratio of either one of the images501 and 502, by using an intermediate value of the enlargement ratios ofboth the images 501 and 502, or by changing the enlargement ratioaccording to a rate of the measurement position.

Besides, in a case where the distance of the portion where the imagesoverlap each other is obtained when the pixel pitch of the image 501 isdifferent from that of the image 502, it is necessary to performnecessary calculation with respect to that portion by using the pixelpitch of either one of the images 501 and 502, or by using anintermediate value of the pixel pitch of both the images 501 and 502.

Incidentally, it might adjust the enlargement ratios of the images 501and 502 when the images 501 and 502 are enlarged to perform the imageadjustment on the enlarged images, or when the images 501 and 502 areenlarged for X-ray photography. Besides, in such cases, it is alsopossible to consider the enlargements of the images 501 and 502 as theenlargements of the pixel pitches of these images and thus process theseimages as the images having different pixel pitches. In any case, tocope with the above problem, a limitation that the enlargement ratios ofall the images 501 and 502 must be the same might be previously set whenenlarging and/or reducing these images.

The step S320 is a step of judging whether or not the image positionadjustment mark exists. That is, in the step S320, although the imageposition adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b are not displayed because thecurrently set mode is the image measurement mode, it is judged whetheror not the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b have beenadded in the past. Then, if it is judged that the image positionadjustment marks 506 a and 506 b have been added, the flow advances tothe step S321. Meanwhile, if it is judged that the image positionadjustment marks 506 a and 506 b have not been added, the flow advancesto the step S322 to release the image connection process.

The step S321 is a step of displaying the past-added image positionadjustment marks 506 a and 506 b when it is judged in the step S320 thatthe image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b have been added inthe past. That is, the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 bwhich have been added in the past are displayed for the fine adjustmentoperation. Incidentally, in the case where the fine adjustment isperformed, when the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 brespectively added to the different two images 501 and 502 overlap eachother, the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b may not bedisplayed. Thus, when the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506b are not displayed completely, it is possible to consider that theimage position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b respectively added tothe images 501 and 502 coincide with each other completely.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the boneportion 503 of the image 501 and the bone portion 504 of the image 502are enlarged and displayed, and the images 501 and 502 are connectedwith each other so that these portions overlap each other. In that case,the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b are displayedrespectively at the bone portions 503 and 504 by the image positionadjustment mark addition means 106. Therefore, in addition to the aboveeffects obtained in the first embodiment, it is further possible toprevent that the user cannot judge which portions on the images 501 and502 he should overlap when the connection portion of the images 501 and502 is enlarged and displayed, thereby enabling to improve accuracy inthe image position adjustment.

More specifically, the connection portion of the images 501 and 502 issufficiently enlarged to the extent that the whole image cannot be heldwithin the range of the monitor screen, and then the positions of theimages 501 and 502 are finely adjusted. In that case, because the images501 and 502 intended to be connected are sufficiently large with respectto the image frame, the user tends to be unable to judge which portionsof the images 501 and 502 should be connected with each other. Inparticular, when the spine portions on the respective images 501 and 502are connected with each other, the user tends to be unable to clearlyjudge which bones in the spine portions should be connected with eachother. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, the imageposition adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b are previously addedrespectively to the spine portions to be connected, the marked portionsare sufficiently enlarged, and then the positions of the images 501 and502 are finely adjusted by accurately connecting these marked portions,thereby improving accuracy in the position adjustment of the images 501and 502.

Moreover, because the distance measurement tools 603 and 604, theauxiliary lines 606 and 607, and the perpendicular lines 608 and 609which all concern the measurement result in the image measurement modeare not displayed in the image position adjustment mode, these tools andlines do not counteract the position adjustment of the images 501 and502 in the image position adjustment mode, whereby it is possible tosignificantly improve usability in finely adjusting the positions of theimages 501 and 502. Moreover, because the image position adjustmentmarks 506 a and 506 b or the like are not displayed in the imagemeasurement mode, these marks do not counteract the image measurementoperation in the image measurement mode. In addition, because the imageposition adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b added in the past areremained, these remaining marks can be added when the mode is againchanged from the image measurement mode to the image position adjustmentmode, whereby it is unnecessary to again add the past-added imageposition adjustment marks 506 a and 506 b.

Incidentally, when the positions of the images 501 and 502 are adjusted,the image adjustment is performed with respect to the reduction imageobtained by reducing the real image, and the image which has beensubjected to the same image connection process as that for theconnection image to be actually output is displayed after the positionadjustment, whereby it is possible to reduce a time period necessary foradjusting the positions of the images 501 and 502. Thus, it is possibleto achieve high-throughput interactive position adjustment. On one hand,after the position adjustment of the images 501 and 502 ended, the imageconnection process is performed with respect to the image to be actuallyoutput, whereby it is possible for the user to see or watch the imageequivalent to the image to be finally output. Thus, it is possible forthe user to confirm the output image then and there, and it is alsopossible to achieve high-accuracy image measurement. Moreover, theconnection image is displayed so as to be exactly held within the imageframe being displayed in the case where the mode is changed to the imagemeasurement mode, whereby it is possible for the user to easily confirmthe whole image.

In addition, when the image position adjustment marks 506 a and 506 brespectively added to the images 501 and 502 being the target of theimage connection mutually overlap, the image position adjustment marks506 a and 506 b are not displayed, whereby the user can know that theimages 501 and 502 intended to be connected exactly coincide with eachother, on the basis of the fact that the marks 506 a and 506 b are notdisplayed. Thus, it is possible to improve usability in the imageposition adjustment. Moreover, the image position adjustment marks 506 aand 506 b which overlap with each other are set to be not displayed,whereby there is no obstacle of preventing the user from seeing andwatching the actual image. Thus, it is possible for the user to moreeasily judge whether or not the position adjustment succeeded.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the images 501 and 502 intended tobe connected are enlarged or reduced. Therefore, even when theenlargement ratio of the image 501 is different from that of the image502, it is possible to adjust the enlargement ratios of both the images501 and 502 and appropriately connect them with each other. Moreover,when there is no influence due to the image position adjustment, it ispossible to display the measurement result as it is. In addition, evenwhen the value of the measurement result extends over the plural pixelsof which the enlargement ratios or the pixel pitches are differentmutually, it is possible to appropriately perform the image measurement.

(Other Embodiments)

The control operations of the radiographic image connection processingapparatuses in the above embodiments can be achieved by using a computersystem (hardware) as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of thecomputer system disposed in the radiographic image connection processingapparatus.

In a computer system 900 shown in FIG. 9, a CPU 901, a ROM 902, a RAM903, a KBC (keyboard controller) 905 of a KB (keyboard) 904, a CRTC (CRTcontroller) 907 of a CRT 906 acting as a display unit, a DKC (diskcontroller) 910 of an HD (hard disk) 908 and an FD (flexible disk) 909,and an NIC (network interface controller) 912 for connecting with anetwork 911 are appropriately connected together through a system bus913 in such a manner as capable of communicating mutually.

The CPU 901 executes the software stored in the ROM 902 or the HD 908 orthe software supplied from the FD 909, and thus, based on the software,totally controls the structural components respectively connected withthe system bus 913.

That is, the CPU 901 reads a processing program according to apredetermined processing sequence from the ROM 902, the HD 908 or the FD909, and executes the read processing program so as to perform thecontrol for achieving the following operations.

The RAM 903 functions as a main memory of the CPU 901, a working area orthe like.

The KBC 905 controls various instructions input from the KB 904, anot-shown pointing device, and the like.

The CRTC 907 controls the display operation by the CRT 906.

The DKC 910 controls accesses to the HD 908 and the FD 909 which storeboot programs, various application programs, editing files, user files,network administration programs, predetermined processing programs inthe embodiments of the present invention, and the like.

The NIC 912 exchanges various data bi-directionally to/from devices andsystems on the network 911.

Incidentally, the present invention includes a case where the object ofthe present invention can be achieved by supplying program codes ofsoftware to achieve the functions of the above embodiments to a computerin a system or an apparatus connected to the various devices and thusoperating the various devices according to the programs supplied andstored in the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus soas to achieve the functions of the above embodiments.

In that case, the program codes themselves of the software achieve thefunctions of the above embodiments. Therefore, the program codesthemselves, and a means for supplying the program codes to the computer,for example, a recording medium storing these program codes, constitutethe present invention. As the recording medium of storing the programcodes, e.g., a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, amagneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatilememory card, a ROM and the like can be used.

Moreover, it can be obviously understood that the present inventionincludes not only a case where the functions of the above embodimentsare achieved by executing the supplied program codes with the computer,but also a case where an OS (operating system) or the like running onthe computer or cooperating with other application software performs apart or all of the actual processes based on instructions of the programcodes and thus the functions of the above embodiments are realized bysuch the processes.

Furthermore, it can be obviously understood that the present inventionalso includes a case where, after the supplied program codes are writteninto a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a memory ina function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPU or the likeprovided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unitperforms a part or all of the actual processes on the basis of theinstructions of the program codes, and thus the functions of the aboveembodiments are realized by such the processes.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the present invention is not limited to thespecific embodiments thereof expect as defined in the appended claims.

This application claims priority from Japanese patent Application No.2003-310438 filed Sep. 2, 2003, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

1. A radiographic image connection processing method of connectingplural partial radiographic images, said method comprising: a) an imageselection step of selecting the plural partial radiographic images; b) amode changeover step of changing over an image position adjustment modefor adjusting a position of the partial radiographic image selected insaid image selection step to/from an image measurement mode formeasuring the partial radiographic image selected in said imageselection step; and c) an image connection processing step of connectingthe selected partial radiographic images with others according as themode is changed over from the image position adjustment mode to theimage measurement mode in said mode changeover step.
 2. A radiographicimage connection processing method according to claim 1, furthercomprising a measurement inhibition step of inhibiting the measurementof the partial radiographic image in a case where the mode has beenchanged over to the image position adjustment mode in said modechangeover step.
 3. A radiographic image connection processing methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising a position adjustmentinhibition step of inhibiting the position adjustment of the partialradiographic image in a case where the mode has been changed over to theimage measurement mode in said mode changeover step.
 4. A radiographicimage connection processing method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a measurement result display control step of controlling tosuperpose and display a measurement result on the partial radiographicimage in a case where the mode has been changed over to the imagemeasurement mode in said mode changeover step; and a measurement resultdeletion control step of controlling to delete the superposed anddisplayed measurement result in a case where, after the measurementresult had been superposed and displayed on the partial radiographicimage, the mode has been changed over to the image position adjustmentmode in said mode changeover step.
 5. A radiographic image connectionprocessing method according to claim 1, further comprising: an imageoutput control step of controlling output of the partial radiographicimages connected in said image connection processing step; and an imageoutput inhibition step of controlling to inhibit the output of theconnected partial radiographic images in a case where the mode has beenchanged over to the image position adjustment mode in said modechangeover step.
 6. A radiographic image connection processing methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said image connection processing step isexecuted to connect the partial radiographic images so that one of thepartial radiographic images to be connected overlap the other of thepartial radiographic images.
 7. A radiographic image connectionprocessing method according to claim 1, further comprising a markaddition step of controlling to add a mark being a target of aconnection position to each of the partial radiographic images selectedin said image selection step so as to superpose and display the mark onthe partial radiographic image.
 8. A radiographic image connectionprocessing method according to claim 7, further comprising a markdeletion step of controlling to delete the mark superposed and displayedon each of the partial radiographic images in said mark addition step,in a case where the mode is changed over from the image positionadjustment mode to the image measurement mode in said mode changeoverstep.
 9. A radiographic image connection processing method according toclaim 7, further comprising a mark deletion step of controlling todelete the mark superposed and displayed on each of the partialradiographic images, in a case where the positions of the partialradiographic images to which the marks have been respectively added insaid mark addition step are adjusted and thus the marks coincide withothers.
 10. A radiographic image connection processing method accordingto claim 1, further comprising a size change step of capable ofenlarging or reducing the partial radiographic image selected in saidimage selection step, in a case where the mode has been changed over tothe image position adjustment mode in said mode changeover step.
 11. Aradiographic image connection processing apparatus which connects pluralpartial radiographic images, comprising: a) an image selection unitadapted to select the partial radiographic images to be connected; b) amode changeover unit adapted to change over an image position adjustmentmode for adjusting a position of the partial radiographic image selectedby said image selection unit to/from an image measurement mode formeasuring the partial radiographic image selected by said imageselection unit; and c) an image connection processing unit adapted toconnect the selected partial radiographic images with others accordingas the mode is changed over from the image position adjustment mode tothe image measurement mode by said mode changeover unit.
 12. Aradiographic image connection processing apparatus according to claim11, further comprising an image measurement unit adapted to measure thepartial radiographic image selected by said image selection unit,wherein said image measurement unit inhibits the measurement of thepartial radiographic image in a case where the mode has been changedover to the image position adjustment mode by said mode changeover unit.13. A radiographic image connection processing apparatus according toclaim 11, further comprising an image position adjustment unit adaptedto adjust a position of the partial radiographic image selected by saidimage selection unit, wherein said image position adjustment unitinhibits the position adjustment of the partial radiographic image in acase where the mode has been changed over to the image measurement modeby said mode changeover unit.
 14. A radiographic image connectionprocessing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising ameasurement result display control unit adapted to control to superposeand display a measurement result on the partial radiographic image in acase where the mode has been changed over to the image measurement modeby said mode changeover unit, wherein said measurement result displaycontrol unit performs display control to delete the superposed anddisplayed measurement result in a case where, after the measurementresult had been superposed and displayed on the partial radiographicimage, the mode has been changed over to the image position adjustmentmode by said mode changeover unit.
 15. A radiographic image connectionprocessing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an imageoutput control unit adapted to control output of the partialradiographic images connected by said image connection processing unit,wherein said output control unit controls to inhibit the output of theconnected partial radiographic images in a case where the mode has beenchanged over to the image position adjustment mode by said modechangeover unit.
 16. A radiographic image connection processingapparatus according to claim 11, wherein said image connectionprocessing unit connects the partial radiographic images so that one ofthe partial radiographic images to be connected overlap the other of thepartial radiographic images.
 17. A radiographic image connectionprocessing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a markaddition unit adapted to add a mark being a target of a connectionposition to each of the partial radiographic images selected by saidimage selection unit so as to superpose and display the mark on thepartial radiographic image.
 18. A radiographic image connectionprocessing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a markdeletion unit adapted to delete the mark superposed and displayed oneach of the partial radiographic images by said mark addition unit, in acase where the mode is changed over from the image position adjustmentmode to the image measurement mode by said mode changeover unit.
 19. Aradiographic image connection processing apparatus according to claim17, further comprising a mark deletion unit adapted to delete the marksuperposed and displayed on each of the partial radiographic images, ina case where the positions of the partial radiographic images to whichthe marks have been respectively added by said mark addition unit areadjusted and thus the marks coincide with others.
 20. A radiographicimage connection processing apparatus according to claim 11, furthercomprising a size change unit adapted to be able to enlarge or reducethe partial radiographic image selected by said image selection unit, ina case where the mode has been changed over to the image positionadjustment mode by said mode changeover unit.
 21. A computer program forcausing a computer to connect plural partial radiographic images,comprising: a) an image selection step of selecting the plural partialradiographic images; b) a mode changeover step of changing over an imageposition adjustment mode for adjusting a position of the partialradiographic image selected in said image selection step to/from animage measurement mode for measuring the partial radiographic imageselected in said image selection step; and c) an image connectionprocessing step of connecting the selected partial radiographic imageswith others according as the mode is changed over from the imageposition adjustment mode to the image measurement mode in said modechangeover step.
 22. A computer-readable recording medium which recordsthereon a computer program for causing a computer to connect pluralpartial radiographic images, said program comprising: a) an imageselection step of selecting the plural partial radiographic images; b) amode changeover step of changing over an image position adjustment modefor adjusting a position of the partial radiographic image selected insaid image selection step to/from an image measurement mode formeasuring the partial radiographic image selected in said imageselection step; and c) an image connection processing step of connectingthe selected partial radiographic images with others according as themode is changed over from the image position adjustment mode to theimage measurement mode in said mode changeover step.